14 October is a special day for people in Sevlievo – it is the day when the town celebrates its patron saint, St. Petka. The day begins with a church service, after which the townspeople flock to the town square, where pumpkins reign supreme – the symbol of the city since time immemorial. There, different competitions are organized and prizes awarded – for best pumpkin recipes and for the farmers who have grown the biggest and longest pumpkins this year.

• Food traditions:the metamorphoses of the pumpkin

The pumpkin festival in Sevlievo is the highpoint of the traditional autumn festival in the town, whose history goes back a long time – it was held for the first time in 1922, was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and has played an important role in the development of the economy in the region of Sevlievo.

Compiled by Gergana Mancheva

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova